Ellison working on police relations during transition

Democratic Attorney General-elect Keith Ellison knows he has work to do to mend relations with many members of Minnesota's law enforcement community.

He won a hard-fought election over Republican Doug Wardlow who had support from major law enforcement organizations.

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"People who are in law enforcement are brave, courageous, incredibly helpful, they're lifesavers and they need our appreciation," Ellison said in an interview with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS on Friday. "At the same time, there's no profession, not one, where there isn't accountability as well. So these things have to be balanced."

Ellison was criticized by some in law enforcement for "supporting cop killers" because he often criticized police officers involved in shooting incidents before all the facts were known. He said as Minnesota's attorney general he'll wait to gather facts before reacting.

"I believe in due process," Ellison said during the interview recorded for "At Issue with Tom Hauser" that can be seen Sunday morning at 10 a.m. "I think we have to wait and see what the facts are going to reveal."

On another issue, Ellison says he will not spend most of his time taking on President Donald Trump's administration. However, he won't shy away from it.

"I do want to be very transparent," Ellison said. "There may be moments, whether it's the Trump administration or some other one, when I have to stand up for the people of Minnesota against what the federal government is doing, but that's not going to be my focus."